Stable Performance of French Seafood Market

FRANCE - According to recently published data the EU 28 total catch represents 4.8 million tonnes, of which France catches 443,509 tonnes or nine per cent (CFP edition 2014), writes Finnian OLuasa, from the Paris Office of Bord Bia Irish Food Board.

EU 28 produces a further 1.254 millon tonnes of seafood through aquaculture of which France produces 206,909 tonnes or 16.5 per cent.

France has the fifth highest rate of per capita consumption in Europe at 35.4kg per inhabitant per year, compared to an EU average of 23.1kg.

The five leading per capita consumption states are Portugal (56.7kg), Spain (43.4 kg), Lithuania (39.8kg) and Finland (35.6kg).

France consumes a wide variety of species covering both shellfish and finfish.

The top 10 species purchased fresh for home consumption in France in 2013 were mussels, salmon, oysters, cod, saithe, scallop, whiting, crab, hake and whelk. 61 per cent of fresh seafood was purchased in supermarkets in France in 2013, compared to 17 per cent in fish shops or markets, and 22 per cent eaten out of home in either commercial or collective catering outlets.

Home consumption sales remained relatively stable in value (-0.2 per cent) in 2013 compared to 2012 in spite of an increase in price of three per cent.